42 Specifications

The Jawa 42 is powered by a 294.72cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that produces 26.94 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 26.84 Nm of peak torque. Despite a smaller displacement than the Royal Enfield Classic 350 (349cc), the 42's liquid-cooled setup allows it to rev higher and make more power - a genuine technical advantage in the segment.

Power goes to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch. The slipper clutch reduces lever effort in city traffic and prevents rear-wheel hop during aggressive downshifts - a feature the Classic 350 does not offer at this price.

ARAI-certified mileage is 33 kmpl, but real-world figures from owners range between 25-34 kmpl depending on conditions. Stop-go Bengaluru or Mumbai traffic typically returns 26-28 kmpl; highway cruising at 80-90 km/h pushes it closer to the ARAI figure. In practical terms, the 13.2-litre fuel tank delivers a range of roughly 350-400 km per fill-up.

The 42 rides on a double-cradle frame with telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers. Ground clearance is 165mm - adequate for most urban and highway use, though it can catch on steep speed bumps with a pillion aboard. At 184 kg kerb weight, it's easy to manoeuvre in tight parking and manage at slow speeds.

Variants are split by wheel and ABS type: base trims get wire-spoke wheels with single-channel ABS; higher variants get alloy wheels with dual-channel ABS. If you ride in mixed or wet conditions, the dual-channel ABS alloy variant is the smarter choice despite the premium.